Stuff we love: Interiors blogs

The internet is without doubt the biggest resource there is when it comes to information, guides, support, tips and tricks and inspiration for interior design. But the sheer volume of sites can sometimes seem quite overwhelming and it's difficult to sort the gems from the dross.

This week we look at five favourite interiors blogs from New Zealand and further abroad and explain what makes them so special in a highly competitive category.

CUSH AND NOOKSBased in the sunny Hawkes Bay, Cush and Nooks is a home-grown daily feast of design inspiration brought to fruition by graphic designer, Vic Bibby. Vic seeks her inspiration from international designers who share her love of 'pops of colour' and sources stylish homewares that ooze beauty for her online store. Coveted piece of the moment: the Cush and Nooks pod chairs.

MAISON BLANCHESInspired by the perfection of 'white', 'more white' and 'white on white', Maison Blanches is a Pinterest-style display of daily inspiration for how to achieve that crisp, clean and effortless 'Maison Blanches' look. It's a romantic image-based library of pics that covers interiors and more and is guaranteed to make you swoon; think perfectly styled dining rooms, fashion collections, rustic picnic scenes, ornate bridal gowns, and destinations to die for.

DESIGN*SPONGESimply presented, Design*Sponge serves up multiple daily posts about new, innovative products and tricks on how to maximise your own home design. Created and run by Brooklyn-based writer Grace Bonney, it exudes New York style but still manages to fulfil the creator in all of us with its DIY pages, daily photographic inspiration and the all time favourites - the 'before and afters'. With six to eight posts per day, ranging from in-depth discussion and opinion pieces about the latest interior trends, to a sneak peek into the home ofone of New York's divine loft apartments, it's easy to see why Design*Sponge has attracted a huge following internationally with almost half a million followers on Twitter.

DECOR8This is a style blog all about creativity. Its founder, Holly Becker, is a travelling interior design consultant who tests the artistic waters in both the United States and Germany frequently. Using a variety of posts about independent artists, designers and as-yet undiscovered creative types, she addresses the spectrum of interior design issues as well as tips and tricks that inspire her following. The ultimate goal of Decor8 is to "inspire readers to live a more fulfilling, creative life,"and you're sure to catch the creativity bug too when youvisit.

THE DESIGN FILESA little bit closer to home, this Australian blog features design from Down Under in all its forms - architecture to art, interiors to illustration. Tune in every Wednesday for the regular 'Australian Homes' feature where the best of Australian homes open their doors to The Design Files and share their interior spaces, their love for certain artists and their inspiration for the look and feel of their home. The Design Files also source a lot of the items seen in the shoot so if something catches your eye you can try to nab one for yourself.